Indian History: Colonial Period and Independence Movement

Allan Octavian Hume (A O Hume), a retired British civil servant, founded the Indian National Congress in 1885. Lord Curzon was a Viceroy who opposed Congress, while W. C. Banerjee was the first President, not the founder.

The goal of Swaraj (self-rule) was formally adopted by the Indian National Congress in 1906 at the Calcutta session under the presidency of Dadabhai Naoroji, marking a shift from moderate to more assertive nationalism.

The Indian National Congress was founded in December 1885, with its first session held in Bombay. W. C. Banerjee was the first President, and the formation was spearheaded by A. O. Hume.

The historic Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) began on March 12, 1930, with Mahatma Gandhi and 78 trusted followers marching from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, covering 240 miles over 24 days to protest the salt tax.

The Non-cooperation Movement was officially launched by the Indian National Congress in 1920 under Gandhi's leadership, following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the Rowlatt Act protests. It was a major phase in the freedom struggle.

The Bengal Gazette (also called Hicky's Gazette), founded in 1780 by James Augustus Hicky, was India's first newspaper. Kesari, Maharatta, and Sudharak were founded much later in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre occurred on April 13, 1919, when British troops under General Dyer fired on a peaceful gathering, killing hundreds. This event was a turning point in India's freedom struggle and led to the Non-cooperation Movement.

The All India Muslim League was founded in December 1906 at Dhaka. It was established to protect Muslim political interests and initially supported British rule.

The Khilafat Movement was launched in 1919 to protest the dismantling of the Ottoman Caliphate after WWI. It gained momentum in 1920 when Gandhi allied it with the Non-Cooperation Movement.

The First Round Table Conference was held in London from November 1930 to January 1931. It was called by the British to discuss constitutional reforms for India, but the Congress boycotted it.

Lord Canning was the last Governor General of India (1856-1862) and became the first Viceroy of India after the 1857 revolt. The title changed from Governor General to Viceroy in 1858.

The Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by Lord Dalhousie (1848-1856). It allowed the British to annex any princely state where the ruler died without a natural male heir.

Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920 following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and Rowlatt Act protests. It was the first mass movement under his leadership.

Brahmo Samaj was founded in 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. It was a reformist movement that opposed idol worship, caste discrimination, and sati, while promoting rationalism and social justice.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828. He is called the 'Father of Modern India' for his social reform work including the abolition of Sati.

Henry Louis Vivian Derozio, a young Anglo-Indian teacher at Hindu College, started the Young Bengal Movement in the 1820s. It promoted rationalism, free thinking, and challenged religious orthodoxy.

Captain Mohan Singh founded the Indian National Army (INA) in 1942 with Japanese support. However, the INA became famous under Subhas Chandra Bose who took over in 1943. The question asks who FOUNDED it, not who led it.

Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of British India (1947-1948) and also the first Governor General of independent India. He oversaw the partition and transfer of power in 1947.

The August Declaration (1917) by Edwin Montagu, the Secretary of State for India, promised 'increasing association of Indians' and 'progressive realization of responsible government'. It marked the shift toward self-rule.

Lord Mountbatten served as the last Viceroy of British India and became the first Governor-General of independent India after the transfer of power on August 15, 1947. He held this position until June 1948 when C. Rajagopalachari took over. Lord Wavell was the Viceroy before Mountbatten, while Lord Willington and Lord Irwin held office in the 1930s and early 1930s respectively.

The Swadeshi Movement was launched in 1905 as a direct response to Lord Curzon's decision to partition Bengal. The movement emphasized the use of indigenous goods and boycott of foreign products. It was a key phase in India's freedom struggle and promoted nationalistic sentiments. The movement eventually led to the annulment of the Bengal partition in 1911.

Lord Canning became the first Viceroy of India in 1858 after the Government of India Act was passed following the Revolt of 1857. The title 'Viceroy' replaced 'Governor-General' to represent the British Crown rather than the East India Company. Lord Elgin (1862-1863), Lord Lawrence (1864-1869), and Lord Lytton (1876-1880) all served as Viceroys later in British India.

 Lord Irwin was the Viceroy of India when Simon Commission visited India

The Subsidiary Alliance system was introduced by Lord Wellesley (1798-1805) to bring Indian princely states under British control without direct military confrontation. Under this system, Indian rulers had to accept British forces in their territory and maintain a British resident at their court, in exchange for British 'protection'. This policy greatly expanded British influence in India.

The province of Bengal was partitioned in 1905 by Lord Curzon into East Bengal and Assam (Muslim majority) and West Bengal (Hindu majority). This decision was widely opposed and became a major issue in the independence movement. The partition was eventually annulled in 1911. The 1947 partition created East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and West Bengal.